Former NAIA student-athletes helped kick off the 70th national convention with a Q&A at Saturday's general session. Pictured (from left): Kevin Barth, Marc Boerigter, NAIA CEO Jim Carr, Dylan Smith of Concordia (Ore.), Gloria Antanmo, and moderator Michael Coleman.
70th Annual NAIA Convention: Day 2 Recap
KANSAS CITY -- Here is a recap of the second day of the 70th annual NAIA Convention. The annual gathering continues through Tuesday.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
{DAY TWO RECAP}
General Session I: Convention Kick-Off
Over the past 70 years the NAIA National Convention has inspired advances in the conversation and opportunity to impact the NAIA's more than 60,000 student-athletes through campus, conference and national initiatives. In today's opening general session NAIA President and CEO Jim Carr spoke to that call and asked four special guests, past and current NAIA student-athletes, to share their stories. Kevin Barth studied Business Administration at Graceland University (Iowa) and was a member of the Yellowjackets football team. Barth is currently the President and Chief Operating Officer for Commerce Bank in Kansas City, Mo. Marc Boerigter is a graduate of Hastings College (Neb.) and went on to have a successful career in the NFL and CFL. Dylan Smith a recent graduate of Concordia University (Ore.) was a member of the baseball team. Smith, a Dr. LeRoy Walker Champions of Character Award winner, now works for the Jessie F. Richardson Foundation where he assists elderly living in Nicaragua. Gloria Atanmo, a student-athlete at Baker University (Kan.) rounded out the panel. Atanmo is a member of the women's basketball and tennis teams and recently opened her own graphic design business.
National Administrative Council
The National Administrative Council (NAC) met Saturday morning to review recommendations from the Championship Competition, Rules and Ratings, Awards and Statistics and Experience and Enhancement committees. A final NAC report will be available on Monday evening following the caucus.
Conference Commissioners Association
The Conference Commissioners Association (CCA) held their annual business meeting Saturday afternoon. Lori Thomas, NAIA Senior Vice President for Membership and Character Initiatives, and Kevin Dee, Vice President for Administration and Finance, led the conversation for membership initiatives. Thomas and John Sullivan, Appalachian Athletic Conference Commissioner, reported on conduct in competition while Lori Joseph, NAIA Vice President for Marketing and Communications, gathered feedback on a variety of new branding and marketing pieces.
Following Saturday's meeting the CCA attended a reception hosted by Design Display. The second part of the CCA business meeting will take place on Sunday afternoon. A full report will be provided at that time.
General Session II: NAIA Eligibility Center Update
The NAIA Eligibility Center has come a long way in the last year. The Center provides an opportunity to create awareness of the NAIA and to connect with more students, parents and high schools to drive prospective student-athletes to NAIA campuses. During the session John Leavens, NAIA Eligibility Center Executive Director, noted that the Center is designed to put the right students on the field each year and that there is a talented staff in place to do just that but they need your help. Leavens encouraged administrators to make sure coaches have access to PlayNAIA Manager and are creating Short Lists to help prioritize the Center's workflow. Leavens reported that the NAIA Eligibility Center is ahead of projected registration and is opening new doors to tell the NAIA story.
Professional Development Workshops
The NAIA has scheduled a variety of professional development workshops throughout the convention. On Saturday Stan Johnson, Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA) Executive Director, hosted a workshop on how to enhance diversity and inclusion through athletics. Johnson led athletic administrators through a series of exercises and challenged them to think about what a successful oriented environment looks like.
Champions of Character Training Sessions
On Saturday morning Mike Riemersma, Cornerstone University (Mich.), and Skip Lord, Houghton College (N.Y.), hosted Champions of Character Training Sessions 101 and 102. The courses served as a program overview and led participates through a series of group activities challenging participants to think about how education outcomes can be learned in current competitive environments.
Women of the NAIA Social / NAIA Eligibility Center Open House
The National Association of Collegiate Woman Athletic Administrators (NACWAA) and Worth hosted a reception Tuesday evening at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center. Patti Phillips, NACWAA Chief Executive Officer, is a graduate of Baker University and former women's basketball coach at Ottawa University. Phillps is known for her charismatic leadership, her fundraising ability and her tireless commitment to women's advocacy and leadership development.
The NAIA Eligibility Center hosted an Open House at its home office located in downtown Kansas City, Mo. Center staff were on hand to meet with membership and walk through key steps in the eligibility determination process.
A look ahead (Sunday, April 17):
Registration opens at 7 AM
Fellowship Breakfast
General Session III: Legislative & Current Issues
Champions of Character Training 201 and 302
Athletic Directors Workshop
NAIA Luncheon and Keynote Speaker
NAIA Exhibit Hall opens at 2 PM
Marketing and Sports Information Workshop
General Session IV: State of the Association
Reception at the World War I Museum (shuttle service begins at 5:30 PM)